Advice needed anyone

[doctobe2]

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I am a 4th year medical student planning to apply to PM&R. The problem is that I don't yet have any PMR LOR cos I am just starting my PM&R rotation so I have not had any significant interactions with any potential letter writer. However, I have other LOR from mostly my 3rd year proffessors. the question is - should I go ahead and apply now without PM&R LOR or should I wait till the end of this PM&R rotation (end of Oct / beginning of Nov) before I apply- or is this too late.

 

[axm397]

I am a 4th year medical student planning to apply to PM&R. The problem is that I don't yet have any PMR LOR cos I am just starting my PM&R rotation so I have not had any significant interactions with any potential letter writer. However, I have other LOR from mostly my 3rd year proffessors. the question is - should I go ahead and apply now without PM&R LOR or should I wait till the end of this PM&R rotation (end of Oct / beginning of Nov) before I apply- or is this too late.

The other areas of my application are ok- mostly- honors and high passses and steps 1 and 2 >220.

I have been interested in/exposed to PM&R as a nurse before medical school

Thanks

you should apply NOW since many programs will offer interviews without the deans letter or all LORs.

 

[doctobe2]

Thanks! I will start applying then.

 

[dc2md]

i agree with axm. apply now, and then when your pmr lor is in the system, call the programs you love but haven't gotten an interview offer yet and let them know you now have a PMR LOR and would love for them to reconsider you...hey, can't hurt. good luck.

 

[doctobe2]

Thanks! will do.

 

[bedrock]

For what it's worth, I faced a similar situation when I applied. The PM&R residency director at my med school told me that a PM&R rotation and a LOR from a reasonably well known PM&R attending were critical parts of the application if I wanted to be accepted at one of tier 1 programs (i.e. less important for programs outside of the "Super Six") I took his advice, finished my rotation with a week left in October, got my PM&R LOR the end of that week, applied on Oct 31st (the deadline for many programs) and matched at my top program-Harvard.

This is my two cents, but I've seen people experience this in both residency and fellowship applications. If you're simply late getting your stuff together then it definitely hurts you to apply a month later than most applicants. If you're waiting to add a critical piece of information, it's generally worthwhile to ensure that information is available when your file is reviewed.

 

[doctobe2]

Thanks bedrock, for sharing your experience. Do you think maybe it's still ok to apply to some programs now? Maybe not the top schools but maybe some average ones? Do you think there are any schools that may offer interview without a PM&R LOR?